Autumn Crocus

Not listed does not mean safe.

T. Kebert · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Photo source · shows: Colchicum autumnale

Colchicum autumnale

Also known as: Meadow Saffron

Family: Liliaceae · ASPCA plant record

Verdict at a glance

🐱 Cats⚠ ToxicASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants

🐶 Dogs⚠ ToxicASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants

Show all animals

🐴 Horses⚠ ToxicASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants

🐰 Rabbits⚠ ToxicWHRS Class 1: universal toxin

🐹 Guinea pigs⚠ ToxicPeer-reviewed experiment (PMID 10993176)

Study details: one 10 g/kg dose of pounded bulb by gastric intubation in 3-week-old male guinea pigs (full text read). Full note

🦜 Pet birds (general)! CautionVCA: on the may-be-poisonous list (not specifically reported)

🐢 Tortoises⚠ ToxicTortoise Trust: listed as toxic, credible mortality reports (*)

Evidence by animal

Sourced plant verdicts — read the original wording and scope
Animal	Verdict	Basis	Plant parts	Sources	Evidence link
Companion mammals
Cats	Cats: ⚠ Toxic		Not specified	ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants Poison control	evidence
Dogs	Dogs: ⚠ Toxic		Not specified	ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants Poison control	evidence
Horses & livestock
Horses	Horses: ⚠ Toxic		Not specified	ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants Poison control	evidence
Small mammals
Rabbits	Rabbits: ⚠ Toxic	WHRS Class 1: universal toxin	Not specified	Wisconsin House Rabbit Society Rescue/education group	evidence
Guinea pigs	Guinea pigs: ⚠ Toxic	Peer-reviewed experiment (PMID 10993176) Species note Study details: one 10 g/kg dose of pounded bulb by gastric intubation in 3-week-old male guinea pigs (full text read). Male Hartley guinea pigs aged 3 weeks and male Std:ddy mice aged 6 weeks were purchased from Japan SLC Co. (Shizuoka, Japan). Eight guinea pigs and eight mice were orally administered with 10 g/kg of pounded autumn crocus bulb by gastric intubation. Comparison of enterotoxicity between autumn crocus (Colchicum autumnale L.) and colchicine in the guinea pig and mouse : enterotoxicity in the guinea pig differs from that in the mouse Species note Mice in the same study had no diarrhea and milder gut lesions than guinea pigs. None of mice develop diarrhea during the course of the experiment. At necropsy, all guinea pigs showed similar changes characterized by hemorrhage and congestion on the serosal membrane of the intestinal tract. In the intoxicated mice, similar changes were observed, but they were slighter than those of guinea pigs. Comparison of enterotoxicity between autumn crocus (Colchicum autumnale L.) and colchicine in the guinea pig and mouse : enterotoxicity in the guinea pig differs from that in the mouse	bulb	Yamada et al. 2000 Peer-reviewed	evidence
Birds
Pet birds (general)	Pet birds (general): ! Caution	VCA: on the may-be-poisonous list (not specifically reported)	Not specified	VCA Animal Hospitals Veterinary reference	evidence
Reptiles
Tortoises	Tortoises: ⚠ Toxic	Tortoise Trust: listed as toxic, credible mortality reports (*)	Not specified	Tortoise Trust Specialist charity	evidence

Source excerpts

ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants — Cats, Dogs, Horses

poison-control

Toxic to Dogs, Toxic to Cats, Toxic to Horses

Source checked 2026-10-27

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Wisconsin House Rabbit Society — Classes of Toxic Plants — Rabbits

rescue-education

WHRS Class 1: universal toxin · Wisconsin House Rabbit Society chapter list (G. Flentke, 2012): Class 1 — "Universal species toxins": "usually systemic toxins or local effect toxins of sufficient intensity to cause systemic problems" (list heading: "Do NOT expose rabbits to these plants.").

Autumn Crocus

Source checked 2026-10-27

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Comparison of enterotoxicity between autumn crocus (Colchicum autumnale L.) and colchicine in the guinea pig and mouse : enterotoxicity in the guinea pig differs from that in the mouse — Guinea pigs

peer-reviewed

Peer-reviewed experiment (PMID 10993176) · bulb · Study details (full text read): one 10 g/kg dose of pounded bulb (0.04% colchicine) by gastric intubation in 3-week-old male Hartley guinea pigs, which were euthanized 6 or 12 hours later. In the same study, 6-week-old male mice given the bulb or colchicine showed no diarrhea and only slighter intestinal lesions, without villous atrophy, so the guinea pig result is not a mouse result.

Each group of guinea pigs given the bulb of autumn crocus or colchicine exhibited severe diarrhea.

Source checked 2026-10-27

Read original source

VCA Animal Hospitals — Plants That Are Toxic to Birds — Pet birds (general)

veterinary-reference

VCA: on the may-be-poisonous list (not specifically reported) · VCA: on the list of "many plants which may be poisonous to birds, although it is not exhaustive"; no asterisk, so not specifically reported harmful in birds. VCA notes information is often inferred from other species.

Autumn Crocus

Source checked 2026-10-27 (source updated Aug 14, 2026)

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Tortoise Trust — Toxic Plants and Tortoises — Tortoises

specialist-charity

Tortoise Trust: listed as toxic, credible mortality reports (*) · Tortoise Trust toxic-plant list (from Highfield, The Tortoise and Turtle Feeding Manual, 2001): marked * = "credible cases where mortality has been reported following consumption".

Autumn crocus (Colchicum autumnale)*

Source checked 2026-10-27

Read original source

No evidence collected in this database yet for 16 animals

No evidence collected in this database yet for: Hamsters, Rats, Mice, Chinchillas, Ferrets, Parrots (macaws, Amazons, African greys…), Budgerigars (budgies), Cockatiels, Lovebirds, Canaries, Finches, Pigeons & doves, Bearded dragons, Iguanas, Goats, Chickens & other poultry

No supported claim has been collected for these animals. Not listed does not mean safe; do not infer suitability from another species.

Toxic principles

ASPCA, as published: Colchicine and other alkaloids Source

Clinical signs

ASPCA, as published: Bloody vomiting, diarrhea, shock, multi-organ damage, bone marrow suppression Source

More from veterinary sources

Last verified (ASPCA record): 2026-10-27. Source access dates and limitations.

Similar plants (same family)

Shared family is not a shared verdict. Check each plant separately.